Gorgeously glazed pair of Aesthetic Movement vases from the Linthorpe Pottery c1885. Low shouldered bottle-shaped vases with elongated necks, swollen at the rim. Streaked glaze in rich tonal browns, russets and creams. Impressed Linthorpe Pottery mark visible to base of one - obscured by glaze run on other (as is commonly seen on Linthorpe). Both with impressed design number 417. The vases measure 23.5 cm in height and 14 cm maximum diameter.
 
In 1879 John Harrison (a local businessman) established Linthorpe Pottery in conjunction with Christopher Dresser, one of the most influential designers of the late 19th century. Dresser acted as artistic director at the Pottery until 1882 and continued to submit designs whilst the Pottery remained in production. Dresser recommended Henry Tooth, an artist from Buckinghamshire working at that time on the Isle of Wight, as pottery manager. Henry Tooth, with no prior experience of clay or pottery left Ryde for Linthorpe, spending time at the T.G. Green pottery in Church Gresley, Derbyshire to get a foundation in ceramics. Henry Tooth had brought Richard Patey with him from the Isle of Wight, who managed the pottery after he left in 1882 (to establish to Bretby Pottery in partnership with William Ault). Linthorpe Pottery was only in existence between 1879 and 1889. For more information on Linthorpe Pottery visit our Maker's History pages.